INDIANAPOLIS -- State Representative Dave Wolkins, fellow legislators and staff wore sneakers at the Statehouse Thursday in support of the “Suits and Sneakers” challenge to raise awareness of the fight against cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), in 2012, 35,000 Hoosiers were diagnosed with cancer, and of those, 13,000 lost their lives to the disease.

The Suits and Sneakers challenge is an annual event sponsored by the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches to help raise cancer awareness and support those affected by it.

State Rep. David Wolkins makes a point Saturday morning, Jan. 31, in the Third House Session Legislative Forum at the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce. He and State Sen. Amanda Banks met with about 30 constituents during the hour-long forum. Photo by Joseph Slacian

By Joseph Slacian

Senate Bill 1 dominated the conversations on Saturday Jan. 31 during the Third House Legislative Forum at the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce.

The bill, State Sen. Amanda Banks explained to the more than 30 people present, “seeks to fix the impasse with the State Board of Education.”

Boy Scouts and Club Scouts fill the former Honeywell Center gymnasium, now Legacy Hall, during a Lincoln Pilgrimage from the 1950's. The 75th annual Pilgrimage will take place Feb. 7-8. Photo courtesy of Wabash County Historical Museum & Wabash Carnegie Public Library.

By Joseph Slacian

Scouts from around Central Indiana will converge on downtown Wabash on Sunday, Feb. 8, for the 75th annual Lincoln Pilgrimage.

Activities will actually begin on Saturday, Feb. 7, when scouts will hike from Mt. Olive United Methodist Church in Marion to the LaFontaine Community Building.

They will arrive in LaFontaine about 5 p.m. and will have a chili supper and sleep overnight at the community building. After a breakfast of biscuits and gravy Sunday morning, the group will continue the nine-mile trek to Wabash, arriving at the Honeywell Center about noon for the start of Pilgrimage activities there.

Pilgrimage organizer Tom Chekouras said the hike is something that had taken place at past Pilgrimages, but has not taken place in recent years.

YMCA and Parkview Wabash Hospital team up to teach students how to swim

An O.J. Neighbours Elementary School student uses a floatation device to him in the YMCA pool. Photo by Eric Stearley

by Eric Stearley

For third graders at OJ Neighbours Elementary School, gym class is a little different this month. Instead of changing their shoes and heading to the gymnasium, they grab a swimsuit and get on a bus; they’re going to the YMCA to learn how to swim.

“The kids are having a blast with this. They look forward to coming, and it’s a great opportunity for them to learn by doing,” said YMCA Aquatics Director Dave Ringler. “This program has been going on now for at least two or three years.”

The flu season has been a rough one on the State of Indiana, and Wabash County didn’t escape the brunt of the illness. State and local officials report an increase in the disease in recent months.

So far, 85 deaths around the state have been linked to the flu, officials from the Indiana State Department of Health said. That figure is higher than the total deaths in each of the previous 10 years, they said, and the flu season is only half over.

Wabash County has seen a significant increase, according to officials at the Wabash County Health Department and Parkview Wabash Hospital.

The retaining wall on the east side of the Honeywell Pool is being replaced as part of a $1.9 million renovation project. Work began in mid-October and officials hope will be completed in time for an opening in late May or early June. Photo provided

Work on the project was expected to begin within days of the pool’s closing last August. However, budget issues delayed the start of the work until mid-October. In spite of that, crews are on schedule with the work.

Local Kiwanis Club celebrates its 95th birthday; Kiwanis International celebrates 100th

By Emma Rausch

On Jan. 30, the local Kiwanis Club chapter commemorated its 95th year as a Wabash service organization and celebrated Kiwanis International’s 100th year by throwing a birthday celebration at the Women’s Clubhouse. Complete with dinner, cake, and a speech by 2015’s Riley Champion Camille Kerlin.

Since its establishment on Jan. 30, 1920, the service organization has been committed to serving the children of the world. The local club has supported organizations including Riley Children’s Hospital, Special Olympics, and The Access. In addition, the club has also serviced the community with service projects such creating a new playground for Hanna Park and raising funds for the Eliminate Project, a project serving to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus.

Kiwanis member Mayor Robert Vanlandingham issued a proclamation announcing the week of Jan. 26-30, 2015 as Kiwanis Week in Wabash on Wednesday Jan. 28.